As far as I know, s is the first professional builder to use the 111″ Thunder Stroke Indian engine to build an old school chopper. And I acknowledge it looks pretty good on this type of machine. It must be the Thunder Stroke features inspired by the Power Plus motor of the 1940’s, like multi-directional finned valved covers, downright firing exhaust and right-hand drive.

It may surprise many that, whose trademark work is mainly custom Flat Trackers and Cafe Racers, went in this chopper direction, but there is a very good reason. It is designed to pay homage to a bike called “Peyote Puffer” built by his father Perry (founder of Performance Machine) in the 70’s. “I’ve always dug that bike, and this was my first opportunity to build something inspired by it. Obviously the finish is completely different as well as the character. This bike is a road bomber meant to go straight with your lady on the back”, says Roland.

When you will read that Mescaloro is a federally recognized Apache tribe of Southern Native Americans with reservation located in central New Mexico, you will better understand the type of retro treatment applied to this big rake chopper. The chromoly frame is a plunger suspension unit with the front setup with a Girder using an Öhlins shock absorber.

As it was done in the past a Mustang gas tank has been welded to the frame, then molded to it. The huge and comfortably padded 3″ tall sissy bar is made from high polished stainless steel and mated to a King and Queen seat. Bent mid ape-hangers mean Chopper with a big C. On the rear fender, a traditional Indian-head running light with a red LED keeps things (somewhat) legal.

Engine was highly polished and for more retro authenticity a foot clutch and long jockey shift were fabricated and installed. Mescaloro could not roll on other than Indian and RSD tested race wheel competition setup. Heavy Hammer flat track 19/3″ rear wheel and hub set up straight from Indian’s FTR Championship race program, as well a factory TT front hub set on a custom 21”/2.15″ traction wheel. (photos @RSD)

It’s that ugly engine that gets me. It’s bulbous…it’s obese…it’s those (fat) fake heads…When I see any stock indian or a custom it’s always the same. My eyes are drawn to the engine and I’m immediately turned off.

i guess my easy rider implanting makes me think the bike — as good as it is — might be a tad better with 6″ shorter high riser and another 6″ lower top of queen back rest. as is, the back rest is too dominant for my tastes. good showcase for indian’s 111.

Clean and lean. Nice touch with the Indian head on the rear fender. That seat/sissy bar is a beauty. Wheels look like the same units used on the Indian Flat Tracker and look great here. Well done, Roland.

Had to go to Sand’s site and look at the pics there. This baby is still EFI. It’s not by any stretch a small feat to hide the wiring involved w/this much less an ECM/ECU. This baby is stil TBW (throttle by wire). Call it what you will, I’ve been waiting to see someone pack all the technology into a chop. Most don’t understand what it takes to pull off this feat and they never will. As an engine builder/technician—to me, within this bike lies some major talent Artsy stuff aside. Handling the technical details is art in itself. The devil is ALWAYS in the details.

In some pics the heads really do seem massive. I wonder how the bike would look if larger 1 1/2″ od tubing (Bourget style) were used in the frame (also slightly stretched 2 to 3 inches) to make the engine seem a little smaller, along with lower handle bars, headlight style, slightly larger gas tank, and a smaller seat with only a 1 foot high rear sissy bar?

I have always wondered when the Indian motor would turn up in a custom chopper. I always thought the Indian motor looked good in the Chief and it still looks good in a custom. To those who say it looks too large, how do you think a Milwaukee 8 is going to look in a custom with its water cooled heads? Where will the radiator and associated plumbing go? I agree with Shanedrive, hiding all the tech is an art.